MBPJ to upgrade two parks

SEVERAL officers from the Landscape Department of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) have met residents from SS1 and SS9 to brief them on the proposed upgrading of the parks in Jalan SS9/2 and Jalan SS1/21.

According to Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, the meeting was to gather input and views for the park upgrading from the residents.

Lau and Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had accompanied the MBPJ officials during their visit to the Jalan SS9/2 park.

According to MBPJ Landscape Department assistant director (II) Nurbaiti Abdul Wahab, the Jalan SS9/2 park upgrading would include a shoulder-high guardrail built parallel to the motorcycle lane to ensure the children's safety and prevent snatch thefts.

Nurbaiti has also suggested that the residents organise a tree-planting programme as trees could help in cushioning noise pollution, after the park upgrading is completed.

While some residents question-ed the necessity to have a basketball court at the Jalan SS1/21 park, others welcomed it as they wanted more activities in the recreational area.

During the meeting, the SS1 residents also complained about poor drainage problems that caused flash floods.

They also said they felt uncomfortable and insecure over foreign workers loitering in the park at night and urged the authorities to monitor the situation.

The SS9 residents, meanwhile, brought up problems concerning potholes, drainage and mosquito- breeding grounds.

Nurbaiti said most of these issues fall under the Mechanical and Engineering Department and urged the residents to submit their complaints via the MBPJ com-plaints hotline.

Nazmi suggested that the residents approach the SS9 Rukun Tetangga and police to monitor the park's safety.

Nurbaiti requested the residents to submit their feedback within the next seven days.

“We'll go through the feedback and if there are major changes, we'll submit the documents and designs to the Tender Depart-ment,” she said.

“The Tender Department needs to get the council’s approval before we can advertise the tenders,” she said.

Nurbaiti said that tender submissions would be conducted via an open system.

“The tender period is usually one month and construction period takes six to eight weeks.

“How soon the tender is approved is subject to when the new city councillors are appointed.

“We still have five or six backdated projects awaiting the council approval,” she said.

“The upgrading the parks in Jalan SS9/2 and Jalan SS1/21 should not cost more than RM400,000 and RM200,000 respectively,” Nurbaiti said.

“The upgrading project is a dream come true. The park needs to be upgraded as most of the equipment are almost 30 years old.

“What's important is that the park and its facilities are also well maintained after the upgrade is completed,” SS1 resident Tan Beng Choo, 54, said.

Her neighbours also welcomed the upgrading, saying that they wouldn't have to travel all the way to Sri Aman for their daily exercises.

“Today's visit is a good way to resolve issues at the local level and provides an opportunity for residents to meet officers from the local council,” Lau said.

“Every project by the council must be transparent and consultative.

“Residents can expect more down-to-the-ground meetings in which affected parties meet to resolve community issues together,” he said.